epiphysis

Also from Answers.com... Chemotherapy Learn what to expect, and what can be done to improve the experience.

1. The end of a long bone that is originally separated from the main bone by a layer of cartilage but later becomes united to the main bone through ossification.
2. See pineal gland.

[Greek epiphusis, an excrescence : epi-, epi- + phusis, growth.]

The terminal portion of a long bone. The epiphysis is separated from the diaphysis during growth by a cartilaginous zone that serves as a growth center. Once ossification unites the epiphysis with the diaphysis, growth is completed.

The end portion of a long bone. It consists of a thin outer layer of compact bone enclosing spongy bone. The epiphysis ossifies separately from the diaphysis to which it fuses when growth is complete (see ossification).

Pl. epiphyses [Gr.]
1. the end of a long bone, usually wider than the shaft, and either entirely cartilaginous or separated from the shaft by a cartilaginous disk.
2. part of a bone formed from a secondary center of ossification, commonly found at the ends of long bones, on the margins of flat bones, and at tubercles and processes; during the period of growth epiphyses are separated from the main portion of the bone by cartilage.

• e. cerebri — pineal body.

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (December 2008)

This article is about the rounded end of a bone. For information on the endocrine gland also referred to as epiphysis, see epiphysis cerebri.

Epiphysis
Gray's	subject #17 79
MeSH	Epiphyses

The epiphysis is the rounded end of a long bone, at its joint with adjacent bone(s). Between the epiphysis and diaphysis (the long midsection of the long bone) lies the metaphysis, including the epiphyseal plate (growth plate). At the joint, the epiphysis is covered with articular cartilage; below that covering is a zone similar to the epiphyseal plate, known as subchondral bone (see Wiktionary:subchondral).

The epiphysis is filled with red bone marrow, which produces erythrocytes (red blood cells).

Pathology

Pathologies of the epiphysis include avascular necrosis and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). OCD involves the subchondral bone.

Epiphyseal lesions include chondroblastoma and giant cell tumor.^[1]

Additional images

Long bone

Longitudinal section of head of left humerus.

References

1. ^ "Inroductory Course". http://www.umdnj.edu/tutorweb/introductory.htm. Retrieved on 2009-03-12. 

v • d • e Musculoskeletal system, connective tissue: bone and cartilage Cartilage perichondrium, fibrocartilage callus, metaphysis cells (chondroblast, chondrocyte) types (hyaline, elastic, fibrous) Bone Ossification intramembranous, endochondral Cycle osteoblast, osteoid, osteocyte, osteoclast Types cancellous, cortical Regions subchondral bone, epiphysis, epiphyseal plate/metaphysis, diaphysis Structure osteon / Haversian system, Haversian canals, Volkmann's canals, connective tissue (endosteum, periosteum), Sharpey's fibres, enthesis, lacunae, canaliculi, trabeculae, medullary cavity, bone marrow Shapes long, short, flat, irregular, sesamoid

This musculoskeletal system article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)